1. ‘Will block goods vehicles at Petrapole border’: Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari says amid protest against arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das
2. Breakthrough technology makes radars go blind, to boost India’s national security
3. No Waqf Bill in Winter session, joint committee to seek term extension to consult more stakeholders
4. Manipur: Eyeballs missing, chopping wound, reveals autopsy of kidnapped Manipur infant; CM lays condition for return of Kuki people
5. MP CM secures Rs 60,000 crore investment proposals during UK visit

What Else

1. Polls may take first toll, Uddhav Thackeray under pressure from party leaders to leave MVA
2. Row erupts after petition demands ban on ISKCON in Bangladesh calling it “radical organization”
3. Bangladesh: Real face being exposed within 3 months: Fakhrul
4. Pakistan: Terrorism cases filed against Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, Ali Amin Gandapur over D-Chowk protest
5. Pak-China military talks focus on terrorism, security
6. Nepal: Two-party blueprint for BRI plan stresses project-based grants
7. US Mission to Pakistan Issues Security Alert
8. China’s probe into Defence Minister Dong Jun unravels ‘deeply rooted’ corruption within PLA

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‘Will block goods vehicles at Petrapole border’: Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari says amid protest against arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das

• Protests erupted in India over the arrest of ISKCON Bangladesh priest Chinmoy Krishna Das, with the BJP and Congress parties leading the charge.
•  Das was arrested on sedition charges after allegedly disrespecting the Bangladeshi flag during a rally in October.
• The protests, which included a candle march by Congress leaders, demanded justice for Das and condemned the Bangladesh government’s actions.
• ISKCON leaders, including Kolkata Vice President Radharaman Das, also denounced the arrest, calling it “saddening” and “unacceptable”.
• Hindu spiritual leaders, such as Acharya Satyendra Das, chief priest of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, also condemned the arrest, stating that it highlights the precarious situation of Hindus in Bangladesh ¹.
• Meanwhile, a petition has been filed in the Bangladesh High Court seeking a ban on ISKCON, citing rising attacks on Hindus and the arrest of Das.
• The court has directed the Attorney General to report on the government’s response to ISKCON’s activities. (more)

Breakthrough technology makes radars go blind, to boost India’s national security

• India’s defense capabilities got a significant boost thanks to a breakthrough stealth technology developed by IIT-Kanpur.
• Called Anālakṣhya Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System (AMSCS), this innovative tech makes objects virtually invisible to radar systems by absorbing radar waves.
• The AMSCS technology is based on a textile-based broadband metamaterial microwave absorber, which effectively renders Synthetic Aperture Radar imaging ineffective.
• What’s more impressive is that over 90% of the materials used to develop this technology were sourced domestically.
• This game-changing tech has undergone rigorous testing from 2019 to 2024 and has proven to be extremely effective.
• The Indian Armed Forces will soon utilize this technology, and it has been licensed to Meta Tattva Systems Pvt. Ltd. for manufacturing.
• The AMSCS technology is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing India’s national security and defense capabilities.
• It’s a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to achieve self-reliance in defense technologies. (more)

No Waqf Bill in Winter session, joint committee to seek term extension to consult more stakeholders

• The Waqf Bill won’t be discussed in the winter session of Parliament. Instead, the joint committee examining it will seek an extension to present its report, as it wants to consult more stakeholders.
• The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) chairman, Jagdambika Pal, will move a resolution to extend the panel’s term.
• Opposition members had sought an extension to hear more stakeholders and even walked out of the JPC meeting on Wed.
• The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to introduce reforms like digitization, stricter audits, and greater transparency.
• However, opposition MPs feel that the committee hasn’t heard all stakeholders, including state Waqf boards and govts of Delhi, J&K, Punjab, and UP. (more)

Manipur: Eyeballs missing, chopping wound, reveals autopsy of kidnapped Manipur infant; CM lays condition for return of Kuki people

• The autopsy reports of the six members of a Meitei family in Manipur have revealed disturbing details of their gruesome killings.
• The victims, who were allegedly kidnapped and killed by Kuki-Zo militants, included a 10-month-old boy, an 8-year-old girl, and four women.
• The autopsy reports showed that the victims suffered multiple bullet injuries, torture, and mutilation before their bodies were dumped in a river.
• The 10-month-old boy was found with both eyeballs missing, while the eight-year-old girl had multiple bullet injuries.
• The women also suffered severe injuries, including bullet wounds, cut wounds, and fractures.
• Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has appealed for calm and promised to welcome back displaced Kuki-Zo people who can prove their citizenship.
• The state govt has also announced plans to implement the National Register of Citizens to identify genuine citizens and weed out illegal settlers.
• The incident has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many calling for swift action against the perpetrators and an end to the violence.
• The Manipur govt has faced criticism for its handling of the crisis, and there are concerns about the safety and well-being of the displaced people. (more, more)

MP CM secures Rs 60,000 crore investment proposals during UK visit

• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has just secured a whopping Rs 60,000 crore in investment proposals during his 3-day visit to the United Kingdom.
• This is a massive boost to the state’s economy, and the Chief Minister is thrilled about the opportunities this will bring.
• During his visit, CM Yadav met with top UK industrialists, showcasing Madhya Pradesh’s potential for industrial and trade development.
• He also toured the campus of WMG (Warwick Manufacturing Group) and interacted with Indian students and students from MP
• This visit is part of CM Yadav’s six-day tour to the United Kingdom and Germany, aimed at attracting investments and promoting international collaboration (more)

Polls may take first toll, Uddhav Thackeray under pressure from party leaders to leave MVA

• The Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) humiliating defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections has sparked rumblings within the alliance, particularly in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.
• Most of the party’s 20 MLAs are urging Thackeray to leave the MVA and go solo, feeling that the alliance is diluting the party’s Hindutva ideology.
• This sentiment is echoed by Ambadas Danve, the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, who believes that the Shiv Sena should forge an independent path and not depend on any alliance.
• The party’s grassroots cadre is also questioning the effectiveness of the MVA, citing the delay in announcing seat-sharing arrangements and instances of the Congress backing Independents instead of Sena (UBT) candidates.
• However, Thackeray and other senior party leaders are keen on maintaining the alliance to present a united opposition against the BJP.
• The MVA’s defeat has been attributed to various factors, including the lack of unity within the alliance and the BJP’s narrative that the Sena (UBT) is pandering to Muslims and betraying its Hindutva roots. (more)

[Neighborhood]

Row erupts after petition demands ban on ISKCON in Bangladesh calling it “radical organization”

• A petition has been filed in Bangladesh’s Supreme Court, demanding a ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, a global Hindu organization.
• The petition, submitted by a Supreme Court lawyer on behalf of 10 other legal professionals, accuses ISKCON of being a “radical organization” that threatens national security and provokes communal unrest in Bangladesh.
• Inciting sectarian violence: The petition claims that ISKCON has been involved in promoting sectarian violence and hatred against other religious groups in Bangladesh.
• Promoting religious intolerance: ISKCON is accused of promoting religious intolerance and extremism, which is allegedly threatening the country’s secular fabric.
• Forcibly recruiting members: The petition alleges that ISKCON has been forcibly recruiting members from traditional Hindu communities, imposing its own beliefs and practices on them.
• Taking over Sanatan temples: ISKCON is accused of taking over Sanatan temples and evicting members of the Sanatan community.
• Engaging in attacks on mosques: The petition claims that ISKCON supporters have been involved in attacks on mosques and other religious institutions.
• However, the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance has defended ISKCON, describing it as a peaceful organization that promotes the teachings of Lord Krishna. The alliance has criticized the petition, saying it is an attempt to malign ISKCON and create communal tension in Bangladesh.
• The development comes amid growing concerns over the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh.
• The Indian govt has expressed “deep concern” over the arrest of ISKCON priest Krishna Das on sedition charges and has called on the Bangladeshi government to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and other minorities. (more)

Bangladesh: Real face being exposed within 3 months: Fakhrul

• BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam expressed deep concern over the recent demonstrations and clashes in Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka and Chattogram.
• He criticized the violence and divisions within the country, stating that it’s unacceptable to see people fighting and killing each other just 3 months after the Aug 5 mass uprising.
• Fakhrul condemned the attacks on media outlets like Prothom Alo and Daily Star, emphasizing his commitment to freedom of the press.
• He urged the interim govt to hold elections soon and advised its advisers to avoid making confusing statements.
• Fakhrul also criticized individuals spreading inflammatory speeches on social media, saying they’re pushing the nation towards darkness and division.
• He emphasized the importance of democracy, freedom of speech, and the right to vote. (more)

Pakistan: Terrorism cases filed against Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, Ali Amin Gandapur over D-Chowk protest

• The Islamabad police have filed 8 cases against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Imran Khan, and thousands of party workers.
• The charges include terrorism, violation of the Assembly Act, attacks on police personnel, and defiance of Section 144, (prohibits gatherings of more than 4 people).
• The cases were registered at various police stations in Islamabad, and the charges reflect the severity of the unrest caused by the protests.
• The PTI leadership and their supporters continue to face legal challenges as the govt seeks to address the situation through the judicial system.
• Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur stated that the PTI protest is still ongoing, and only Imran Khan can decide when it will be called off.
• Despite the temporary suspension of the protest, Gandapur emphasized that the movement is part of a broader struggle for Pakistan’s future.
• Over 900 PTI workers have been arrested in three days, and the Inspector General of Police in Islamabad reported the seizure of vehicles and weapons from protesters.
• The situation remains tense, but life in Islamabad is returning to normal after a grand operation to disperse protesters was completed. (more)

Pak-China military talks focus on terrorism, security

• Pakistan and China held military talks on Wednesday, focusing on counter-terrorism and regional security.
• General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, met with Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, to discuss mutual interests, regional security dynamics, and bilateral defense cooperation.
• The talks emphasized Pakistan’s ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, which are crucial due to the increasing attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan.
• Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership and promoting regional peace and stability.
• General Munir praised the resilience of Pakistan-China relations, while General Zhang acknowledged Pakistan’s dedication to their partnership.
• The meeting follows a joint military exercise, Warrior-VIII, to enhance counter-terrorism capabilities. (more)

Nepal: Two-party blueprint for BRI plan stresses project-based grants

• Nepal is set to ask China for project-based grants to execute projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during PM KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to China.
• A new MoU will be signed to expedite BRI projects, focusing on specific issues and projects related to connectivity, infrastructure, and energy.
• The Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have finalized Nepal’s proposal, which emphasizes seeking grants to fund specific projects under the BRI.
• Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba will convey Nepal’s terms and conditions to her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during her visit to China.
• The new MoU is expected to be signed during Oli’s visit, along with other agreements.
• Nepal has revised the BRI implementation plan proposed by China, focusing on specific projects and avoiding ambiguous language that could lead to multiple interpretations. (more)

US Mission to Pakistan Issues Security Alert

• The US Mission to Pakistan has issued a security alert due to a threat to the Serena Hotel in Peshawar, instructing mission personnel to avoid the area until Dec 16.
• The alert advises US citizens to avoid the hotel and surrounding area, reconsider travel plans, and follow guidelines such as exercising caution and monitoring local media for updates.
• The US has a “Do Not Travel” advisory in place for Pakistan’s KP province due to terrorism, citing active terrorist and insurgent groups that target civilians, govt officials, and security forces.
• The advisory notes that terrorist attacks are frequent in the region and that violent extremist groups continue to plot attacks in Pakistan.
• US citizens to review their security plans, carry identification, and cooperate with authorities.
• The US Mission to Pakistan has also issued a Level 4 travel advisory, which means “Do Not Travel” to the area due to the high risk of terrorism and violence. (more)

China’s probe into Defence Minister Dong Jun unravels ‘deeply rooted’ corruption within PLA

• China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun is under investigation for corruption, as reported by the Financial Times.
• This probe is part of a broader anti-corruption effort within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
• Dong’s investigation is significant, given his appointment by President Xi himself.
• Dong is the 3^rd consecutive Chinese defense minister to face corruption allegations, highlighting the challenges within Xi’s administration.
• China’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed the reports as “chasing shadows,” while the Defense Ministry remains silent.
• The investigation into Dong’s business dealings comes after he declined to meet with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Laos, citing US actions over Taiwan.
• Notably, Dong oversaw a recent improvement in US-China military ties, with both nations engaging in theatre-level commander talks for the first time in Sept.
• Dong’s predecessors, Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, were expelled from the Communist Party for corruption.
• The party stated that they had “betrayed the trust” of the party and caused damage to its image. (more)